Psalm 114 - A Psalm of Sacred History (Reorientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try entering into prayer with this three-part rhythm:

Part 1

Become present to the presence of God:

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1 ESV).

Pause in silence before God. Practice breathing slowly and deeply. As you inhale, invite the Holy Spirit to fill every part of your being. As you exhale, release any burdens you are carrying into this time of prayer. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self -‘as is’ -before the presence of God.

Optional prayer of approach: “Lord God, you know I have spent time in bondage, a slave to darkness, bound to all manner of unworthy things. But in your mercy, you have led me out of slavery into a place of promise, a place of belonging with roots in fertile soil. At every turn you have gone before me, carving paths through sea and sand, stemming time and tide that you might lead me home… Who is like you, Lord, who makes a way in the wilderness; rivers in the desert?” (Endless Grace, by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt: Psalm 114)

Part 2

Slowly read from Psalm 114 out loud: (for audio versions click here)

1-8 (The Message) After Israel left Egypt,
    the clan of Jacob left those barbarians behind;
Judah became holy land for him,
    Israel the place of holy rule.
Sea took one look and ran the other way;
    River Jordan turned around and ran off.
The mountains turned playful and skipped like rams,
    the hills frolicked like spring lambs.
What’s wrong with you, Sea, that you ran away?
    and you, River Jordan, that you turned and ran off?
And mountains, why did you skip like rams?
    and you, hills, frolic like spring lambs?
Tremble, Earth! You’re in the Lord’s presence!
    in the presence of Jacob’s God.
He turned the rock into a pool of cool water,
    turned flint into fresh spring water.

Part 3

Use your own words to pray Psalm 114 back to God:

“Lord God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit- I praise you, for you are…

“When I recount your work among your people, and your work in my life, I want to thank you for…

“… I lament….

“… I confess…

The psalms were originally written as lyrics, as prayers set to music. Throughout the history of Israel and the church, the people of God have sung the psalms. Song invites us to internalize the Word of God with the whole self- body, mind, imagination, emotions and affections. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 114 set to music. Try taking the psalm song with you into your day.

from the album ‘Unchanging God’ (2022) by Sovereign Grace Music. sovereigngracemusic.org